FUND ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION OVERSIGHT AGREEMENT
EX-99.h.3
FUND ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION
OVERSIGHT
AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT is made as of the 4th day of
January, 2010, (the “Effective Date”) by and between each fund in the
Delaware Investments Family of
Funds listed on
Schedule A (each, a “Fund” and collectively, the
“Funds”), having their principal place of business at 0000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx,
Xxxxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000, and Delaware Service Company, Inc. (“DSC”), a Delaware corporation having its
principal place of business at 0000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxx, XX
00000.
WHEREAS, each Fund is registered with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) as an investment company under the
Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”);
WHEREAS, the Funds have engaged The Bank of
New York Mellon (“BNY Mellon”) to provide fund accounting, financial
administration and related services for the Funds pursuant to the Fund
Accounting and Financial Administration Services Agreement, dated as of October
1, 2007 (the “BNY Mellon Fund Accounting Agreement”);
WHEREAS, the Funds desire that DSC perform the
fund accounting, financial administration and related services described in this
Agreement for the Funds to supplement the services provided by BNY Mellon
pursuant to the BNY Mellon Fund Accounting Agreement;
WHEREAS, the Funds also desire that DSC
establish and monitor certain service level requirements with respect to BNY
Mellon’s performance of its duties pursuant to the BNY Mellon Fund Accounting
Agreement; and
WHEREAS, DSC is willing to perform the
aforementioned services on the terms and conditions set forth in this
Agreement;
NOW, THEREFORE, in exchange for good and
valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are acknowledged,
and intending to be legally bound, the Funds and DSC agree as
follows:
1. Services
DSC shall perform for each Fund and its series
(including all share classes) listed in Schedule A, the fund accounting, financial administration
and related services set forth in Schedule B to this Agreement (“Services”). A Fund may
add to, or delete from, this Agreement a Fund series and/or class if such Fund
series and/or class is added to, or deleted from, the BNY Mellon Fund Accounting
Agreement. Such addition or deletion must be evidenced by amending Schedule A. Each existing and future series of a Fund
(including all share classes) covered by this Agreement is individually and
collectively referred to as a “Portfolio.” DSC may perform other services for
each Fund only upon terms, conditions and compensation that DSC and the Fund
mutually agree to, as evidenced by an amendment to this Agreement or
Schedule B. To the extent that BNY Mellon does not
consent to the addition of a new Portfolio or share class to the BNY Mellon Fund
Accounting Agreement and a different service provider is engaged to provide the
fund accounting and financial administration services for such Portfolio or
share class, DSC agrees to negotiate in good faith with the applicable Fund
concerning the provision of the fund accounting and financial administration
oversight services for such Portfolio or share class given the scope of services
to be provided by the new fund accounting and financial administration service
provider.
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2. Compensation and Expenses
A. In return for performing the Services, the
Funds shall compensate DSC as set forth in this Section and in Schedule C to this Agreement. Fees due shall be accrued
daily. If this Agreement is lawfully terminated before the end of any month,
fees shall be calculated on a pro rated basis through the date of termination
and shall be due upon the Agreement’s termination date.
B. The Funds will pay all of their own
expenses that are incurred in the Funds’ operation and not specifically assumed
by DSC. Expenses to be borne by the Funds include, but are not limited to:
pricing, security and other similar data information vendor services;
organizational expenses; costs of services of the Funds’ independent registered
public accounting firm (“independent accountant”) and the Funds’ outside legal
and tax counsel (including such counsel’s review of the Funds’ registration
statements, proxy materials, federal and state tax qualification as regulated
investment companies and any review of reports and materials prepared by DSC
under this Agreement); costs of any services contracted for by the Funds
directly from parties other than DSC; trade association dues; costs of trading
operations and brokerage fees, commissions and transfer taxes in connection with
the purchase and sale of securities for the Funds; investment advisory fees;
taxes; Fund insurance premiums and other Fund insurance-related fees and
expenses applicable to their operations; costs incidental to any meetings of
shareholders, including, but not limited to, legal and auditor fees, proxy
filing fees and the costs of printing and mailing of any proxy materials; costs
incidental to Fund board meetings, including fees and expenses of Fund board
members, but excluding costs specifically assumed by DSC; the salary and
expenses of any officer, director/trustee or employee of the Funds who is not
also a DSC employee; registration fees, filing fees, and costs incidental to the
preparation, typesetting, printing and/or distribution, as applicable, of the
Funds’ registration statements on Forms X-0X, X-0, X-0, X-0, X-0, and N-14, as
applicable, and any amendments thereto, shareholder reports on Form N-CSR, Form
N-SAR, Form N-Q, Form N-PX, tax returns, and all notices, registrations and
amendments associated with applicable federal and state tax and securities laws;
and other expenses properly payable by the Funds.
C. The Funds agree to reimburse DSC for
its actual out-of-pocket expenses in providing the Services, including without
limitation, the following:
(i) |
Electronic
transmission expenses incurred by DSC in communicating with each Fund, the
Fund’s investment advisers (which term, for purposes of this Agreement,
shall be interpreted to include any sub-advisers) or custodian, BNY
Mellon, dealers or others as required for DSC to perform the Services if a
Fund officer requests such electronic transmission and provides DSC with
prior written approval;
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(ii) |
The cost of
creating microfilm, microfiche or electronic copies of Fund records, and
the cost of storage of paper and electronic copies of Fund
records;
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(iii) |
The charges for
services provided by the vendors set forth on Schedule D;
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(iv) |
Any additional
expenses reasonably incurred by DSC in the performance of the Services,
provided that: (a) if any individual expense is less than $1,000, DSC
shall provide prior written notice to the applicable Fund to the extent
practicable; and (b) if any individual expense is $1,000 or more, DSC
shall obtain the prior written consent of an officer of the applicable
Fund;
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(v) |
In the event
that DSC is requested or authorized by the Funds or is required by law,
summons, subpoena, investigation, examination or other legal or regulatory
process to produce documents or personnel with respect to the Services,
and so long as DSC is not the subject of the investigation or proceeding
in question, the Funds will reimburse DSC for its actual out-of-pocket
expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) incurred in responding to
these requests; and
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(vi) |
Any additional
expenses incurred by DSC at the written direction of a Fund
officer.
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D. DSC shall be entitled to receive the following amounts:
(i) |
Any systems
development and project fees for new or enhanced services requested by the
Funds (including significant enhancements required by regulatory changes),
and all systems-related expenses associated with the provision of special
reports and services, in each case as agreed upon by a Fund officer in
advance; and
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(ii) |
Ad hoc
reporting fees billed at an agreed upon
rate.
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E. DSC shall xxxx each Fund on a monthly
basis for the fees and expenses owed to DSC by such Fund under this Agreement.
The monthly xxxx shall be set forth on a detailed invoice in a form mutually
agreed upon by DSC and the Funds. DSC shall send such invoice to each Fund no
later than fifteen (15) days after the last day of each month; provided,
however, that the failure by DSC to do so shall not be considered a breach of
this Agreement. Each Fund shall pay such invoice within fifteen (15) days of
receipt of such invoice by such Fund. In the event that a Fund does not receive
an invoice within fifteen (15) days after the last day of a month, such Fund
shall have fifteen (15) days from the date of receipt of such invoice to pay
DSC. Any undisputed fees or expenses that are not paid by a Fund within the
required time frame shall be subject to a late fee of 1.5% of the amount billed
for each month that such fees or expenses remain unpaid, and the late fee shall
be due and payable upon demand. If any fees or expenses are disputed by a Fund,
DSC and such Fund shall work together in good faith to resolve the dispute
promptly.
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F. DSC will assume responsibility for the costs of its ordinary and
necessary office facilities (including telephone, telephone transmission, and
telecopy expenses), equipment and personnel to perform the Services, including
the compensation of its employees who serve as Fund trustees, directors or
officers. In the event that DSC is the subject of an examination, subpoena,
investigation, proceeding or legal or regulatory process relating to the
Services it provides to the Funds (“DSC Services Inquiry”), and if DSC requests
that the Funds provide, or if the Funds are required by law, summons, subpoena,
investigation, examination or other legal or regulatory process, to produce
documents or personnel with respect to the Services, then DSC will reimburse the
Funds for their actual out-of-pocket expenses (including reasonable attorneys’
fees) incurred in responding to these requests.
3. Length and Termination of
Agreement
A. For purposes of this Section 3, the term
“Effective Date” shall mean October 1, 2007. The term of this Agreement shall
begin on the Effective Date and continue for an initial term of seven (7)
years (the “Initial Term”).
Unless otherwise terminated in accordance with its terms, DSC shall either (i)
request that this Agreement be extended for an additional five (5) year period,
or (ii) indicate that this Agreement will be terminated upon the expiration of
the Initial Term or a Renewal Term (as defined below), as the case may be, in
either case by sending a written notice of its intent to the Fund no later than
three (3) months prior to the fifth anniversary of the Effective Date of the
Initial Term or the third anniversary of the effective date of a Renewal Term
(as the case may be). If DSC requests that this Agreement be extended for an
additional five (5) year period and the Fund does not reject such request in
writing to DSC by the sixth anniversary of the Effective Date of the Initial
Term or the fourth anniversary of the effective date of a Renewal Term (as the
case may be), this Agreement shall be extended for an additional five (5) year
period (a “Renewal Term”). If either (a) DSC indicates that this
Agreement will be terminated upon the expiration of the Initial Term or a
Renewal Term (as the case may be) by sending a written notice of its intent to
the Fund no later than three (3) months prior to the fifth anniversary of the
Effective Date of the Initial Term or the third anniversary of the effective
date of a Renewal Term (as the case may be), or (b) the Fund respond to DSC’s
request to extend for an additional five (5) year period by rejecting such
request in writing to DSC no later than the sixth anniversary of the Effective
Date of the Initial Term or the fourth anniversary of the effective date of a
Renewal Term (as the case may be), this Agreement shall terminate upon the
expiration of the Initial Term or such Renewal Term (as the case may be).
Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement shall renew automatically in event
that the Mellon Fund Accounting Agreement is renewed.
B. A party may terminate this Agreement
for one or more of the following reasons, provided the terminating party
provides the applicable written notice to the other party or parties of the
reason for such termination:
(i)
Non-Renewal: DSC or the Funds may decline to extend the
terms of this Agreement beyond the Initial Term under subparagraph A of this
Section;
(ii)
Mutual Agreement: The parties may mutually agree in writing to
terminate this Agreement at any time;
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(iii)
“For Cause”: A party may terminate the Agreement “For
Cause,” as defined below, by providing the other party or parties with 60 days’
advance written notice;
(iv)
Termination of Investment
Manager: Upon the
termination of the investment management agreement(s) between a Fund (on behalf
of its Portfolio(s)) and its investment adviser, whether terminated by the
investment adviser, the Fund, its board of directors/trustees or its
shareholders, this Agreement shall automatically terminate; provided, however,
that neither (a) a change in such Fund’s investment adviser to another
investment adviser that is under common ownership with such Fund’s investment
adviser or its successor, nor (b) entering into a new investment management
agreement with any such investment adviser shall automatically terminate this
Agreement. In event of the automatic termination of this Agreement with respect
to a Fund due to the termination of such Fund’s investment management agreement,
DSC agrees to negotiate in good faith with the applicable Fund in connection
with DSC’s provision of Services during the transition to a new fund accounting
and financial administration oversight service provider. For purposes of this
subparagraph B(iv) only, the term “investment adviser” does not include any
subadvisers; and
(v)
Termination of BNY Mellon Fund Accounting
Agreement: This Agreement
shall automatically terminate in the event that the BNY Mellon Fund Accounting
Agreement is terminated, provided that DSC agrees to negotiate in good faith
with the Funds to enter into a new fund accounting and financial administration
oversight agreement reflecting the appropriate scope of services to be provided
by DSC given the scope of services to be provided by BNY Mellon’s successor as
fund accounting provider.
For purposes of subparagraph (iii)
above, “For Cause” shall mean:
(a) a material breach of this Agreement that has not been remedied for 30
days following written notice by the non-breaching party or parties that
identifies in reasonable detail the alleged failure of the other party or
parties to perform, provided that if such default is capable of being cured,
then the defaulting party or parties are entitled to such longer period as may
reasonably be required to cure such default if the defaulting party or parties
have commenced such cure and are diligently pursuing same, but such cure must be
completed within 120 days in any event;
(b) when a party commits any act or omission that constitutes negligence,
willful misconduct, fraud or reckless disregard of its duties under this
Agreement and that act or omission results in material adverse consequences to
the other party or parties;
(c) a final, unappealable judicial, regulatory or administrative ruling
or order in which the party or parties to be terminated have been found guilty
of criminal or unethical behavior in the conduct of their business that directly
relates to the subject matter of the Services; or
(d) when a party shall make a general assignment for the benefit of its
creditors or any proceeding shall be instituted by or against such party to
adjudicate it as bankrupt or insolvent, or to seek to liquidate, wind up, or
reorganize such party, or protect or relieve such party’s debts under any law,
or to seek the entry of an order for relief or the appointment of a receiver,
trustee or other similar official for it or for a substantial portion of its
assets, which proceeding shall remain unstayed for sixty (60) days or such party
has taken steps to authorize any of the above actions or has become unable to
pay its debts as they mature.
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C. If this Agreement is terminated by any
party (regardless of whether it is terminated pursuant to paragraph B. above or
for any reason other than those specified in paragraph B. above), the Funds
shall pay to DSC on or before the effective date of such termination any
undisputed and unpaid fees, and shall reimburse DSC for any undisputed and
unpaid out-of-pocket costs and expenses owed to DSC under this Agreement prior
to its termination.
D. If either (i) DSC terminates this Agreement
with respect to a Fund at any time for any reason other than those specified in
paragraph B. above, or (ii) a Fund terminates this Agreement with respect to
such Fund at any time “For Cause” under subparagraph B(iii) of this Section,
then DSC shall reimburse such Fund for any Costs and Expenses incurred by such
Fund in connection with converting such Fund to a successor service provider
with respect to the Services, including without limitation the delivery to such
successor service provider, such Fund and/or other Fund service providers any of
such Fund’s property, records, data, instruments and documents.
E. If this Agreement is terminated (i) by DSC
and/or the Funds, as the case may be, at any time for “nonrenewal” or “upon
mutual agreement” under subparagraphs B(i) and B(ii), respectively, (ii) by DSC
at any time as a result of the “termination of investment manager” under
subparagraph B(iv), (iii) by the Funds at any time for any reason other than
those specified in paragraph B above, or (iv) by DSC at any time “For Cause”
under subparagraph B(iii) of this Section, the Funds shall reimburse DSC
promptly for any Costs and Expenses incurred by DSC in connection with effecting
such termination and converting the Funds to a successor service provider with
respect to the Services, including without limitation the delivery to such
successor service provider, the Funds and/or other Fund service providers any of
the Funds’ property, records, data, instruments and documents.
F. For purposes of this Section 3, “Costs and
Expenses” incurred by a party shall mean any provable, reasonable, customary and
direct costs and expenses actually incurred by such party. For purposes of this
Section 3, Costs and Expenses shall not include any wind-down costs, including,
without limitation, non-cancelable lease payments; severance payments due and
payable to DSC or sub-contractors’ personnel; unused equipment expense; and
non-cancelable payments or termination charges regarding hosting and other
subcontracting services that were not incurred at the written direction of the
Funds and that cannot be transferred or redeployed by DSC. Such party must
provide the other party with written evidence of such costs and expenses before
the other party is obligated to pay them. Such party also has a duty to
mitigate, and must exercise its duty to mitigate, such costs and expenses.
Except as expressly set forth in Sections 3 and 9 and Schedule C, no party
hereto shall be responsible for any costs and expenses or damages of any kind
whatsoever resulting from, related to or otherwise in connection with the
termination of this Agreement.
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G. In the event of the termination of this
Agreement, DSC agrees to cooperate and act in good faith to ensure an orderly
transition to DSC’s successor with respect to the Services provided herein.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing sentence, DSC agrees that, in
the event that this Agreement is terminated by a party or the parties, DSC shall
deliver a Fund’s or the Funds’ property, records, data, instruments and
documents to such Fund or Funds, its or their successor service providers and/or
its or their other service providers, as the case may be, in a non-proprietary,
commercially available format.
H. The termination of this Agreement with
respect to any given Fund or Portfolio shall in no way affect the continued
validity of this Agreement with respect to any other Fund or Portfolio.
4. Amendments, Assignment and
Delegation
A modification of this Agreement (which term
includes all Schedules) will be effective only if in writing and
signed by the parties. No party shall assign the rights or delegate the duties
pursuant to this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other party
or parties, except as follows:
(i) |
DSC may employ
such person or persons it may deem desirable to assist it in performing
the Services without notice to the Funds;
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(ii) |
DSC may hire a
third party to assist it in performing the Services (each a
“Subcontractor”). DSC shall obtain the Funds’ prior written consent before
DSC engages a Subcontractor to provide significant services or functions
to assist DSC in performing the Services under this
Agreement;
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(iii) |
DSC may
delegate one or more of the functions or assign this Agreement to any
direct or indirect majority-owned affiliate of Lincoln National
Corporation with prior written notice to the Funds; and
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(iv) |
A Fund merger
or reorganization that does not result in a change in such Fund’s
investment adviser and where the fund surviving from such merger or
reorganization assumes the duties and obligations of such Fund under this
Agreement shall not require DSC’s consent. For purposes of the this
sub-paragraph 4(iv), the term “investment adviser” does not include any
sub-advisers.
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With respect to the delegation of duties under
(i), (ii) and (iii) above, DSC shall: (a) be responsible for the acts or
omissions of such persons, Subcontractors or affiliates to the same extent as
DSC’s own acts or omissions under this Agreement; (b) be responsible for the
compensation of such persons, Subcontractors or affiliates; and (c) not be
relieved of any of its responsibilities under this Agreement by virtue of the
use of such persons, Subcontractors or affiliates. However, if the Funds
instruct DSC to engage a specific Subcontractor for the performance of any of
the Services, DSC will not be responsible for any acts or omissions by, or
compensation payable to, such Subcontractor.
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This Agreement shall be binding upon, and
shall inure to the benefit of, the parties and their respective successors and
permitted assigns.
5. Documentation
Each Fund represents that it has provided or
made available to DSC (or has given DSC an opportunity to examine) copies of the
following documents, current as of the Effective Date of this
Agreement:
(i) |
The Articles of
Incorporation, Agreement and Declaration of Trust, Partnership Agreement,
or other similar charter document, as relevant, evidencing the Fund’s form
of organization and any current amendments thereto;
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(ii) |
The By-Laws or
procedural guidelines of the Fund;
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(iii) |
Any resolution
or other action of the Fund or the Fund’s board establishing or affecting
the rights, privileges or other status of any class of shares of a
Portfolio, or altering or abolishing any such class;
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(iv) |
A copy of a
resolution of the Fund board appointing DSC to provide the Services for
each Portfolio and authorizing the execution of this Agreement and its
Schedules;
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(v) |
A copy of the
Fund’s currently effective prospectus(es) and statement(s) of additional
information (“Registration Statement”) under the Securities Act of 1933
(the “1933 Act”) and 1940 Act;
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(vi) |
Copies of all
pertinent Fund policies and procedures that affect the Services that DSC
is to provide under this Agreement, including, but not limited to, those
relating to valuation, pricing, Section 2(a)(41) of the 1940 Act and Rules
2a-4 and 2a-7 thereunder, net asset value errors, and “as-of” processing
(e.g., relating to error corrections, post-trade revisions or similar
processing policies that may exist); and
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(vii) |
Such other
documents that DSC reasonably believes to be necessary or appropriate in
the proper performance of the Services, subject to the agreement of the
Fund, which shall not be unreasonably
withheld.
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6. Representations and Warranties of the
Funds
Each Fund represents and warrants the
following:
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A. The Fund is duly organized and validly
existing, in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its
organization, and qualified to do business in each jurisdiction in which the
nature or conduct of its business requires such qualification.
B. The Fund has requisite authority and power
under its organizational documents and applicable law to execute, deliver,
consummate and perform this Agreement; this Agreement is legally valid, binding
and enforceable against the Fund; and the Fund has all necessary registrations
and/or licenses necessary to conduct the activities as described in the
Registration Statement.
C. There is no pending or threatened legal
proceeding or regulatory action that would materially impair the Fund’s ability
to perform its obligations under this Agreement. The Fund’s performance of its
obligations under this Agreement will not conflict with or result in a breach of
any terms or provisions of any agreement to which the Fund is a party or bound,
and does not violate any applicable law.
D. The execution and delivery of this
Agreement have been authorized by the Fund’s directors/trustees and signed by an
authorized Fund officer, acting as such, and neither such authorization by the
Fund directors/trustees nor such execution and delivery by the Fund officer
shall be deemed to have been made by any of them individually or to impose any
liability on any of them personally, and the obligations of this Agreement are
not binding upon any of the Fund directors/trustees or shareholders, but bind
only the property of the Fund, as provided in its charter
documents.
7. Representations and Warranties of
DSC
DSC represents and warrants to the Funds
the following:
A. DSC is duly organized as a corporation
in the State of Delaware; is in good standing; and is qualified to do business
in each jurisdiction in which the nature or conduct of its business requires
such qualification.
B. DSC has requisite authority and power under
its organizational documents and applicable law to execute, deliver, consummate
and perform this Agreement; this Agreement is legally valid, binding and
enforceable against DSC; and DSC has all necessary registrations and/or licenses
necessary to perform the Services described in Schedule B.
C. There is no pending or threatened legal
proceeding or regulatory action that would materially impair DSC’s ability to
provide the Services. DSC’s performance of the Services will not conflict with
or result in a breach of any of the terms or provisions of any agreement to
which DSC is a party or bound, and does not violate any applicable law to which
DSC is subject.
D. DSC has completed, obtained and performed
all registrations, filings, approvals, and authorizations, consents or
examinations required by any government or governmental authority to which DSC
is subject, to perform the Services contemplated by this Agreement and will
maintain the same in effect for so long as this Agreement remains in
effect.
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E. DSC will maintain a fidelity bond and an
insurance policy with respect to errors and omissions coverage in form and
amount that are commercially reasonable in light of DSC’s duties and
responsibilities under this Agreement.
F. DSC has implemented and maintains
reasonable procedures and systems (including reasonable disaster recovery and
business continuity plans and procedures consistent with legal, regulatory and
business needs applicable to DSC’s delivery of the Services) to safeguard the
Funds’ records and data and DSC’s records, data, equipment facilities and other
property that DSC uses in the performance of its obligations hereunder from loss
or damage attributable to fire, theft, or any other cause, and DSC will make
such changes to the procedures and systems from time to time as are reasonably
required for the secure performance of its obligations hereunder.
EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY PROVIDED IN THIS
AGREEMENT, THERE ARE NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES AS TO
THE SERVICES UNDER THIS AGREEMENT OR THE PERFORMANCE THEREOF, INCLUDING WITHOUT
LIMITATION, THE MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OF THE
SERVICES (IRRESPECTIVE OF ANY COURSE OF DEALING, CUSTOM OR USAGE OF
TRADE).
8. Standard of Care
DSC shall act in good faith and exercise
reasonable care in performing the Services under this Agreement. DSC’s duties
shall be confined to those expressly set forth herein, and no implied duties are
assumed by or may be asserted against DSC hereunder. In that regard, DSC shall
have no responsibility for the actions or activities of any other party,
including service providers, except as provided in Section 4.
9. Indemnification and Limitation of
Liability
A. DSC will not be liable to the Funds for any
loss incurred by the Funds as a result of any error of judgment, mistake of law,
act or omission in the course of, or in connection with the Services rendered
by, DSC under the Agreement in the absence of fraud, negligence or willful
misconduct of DSC or the reckless disregard of its duties under the
Agreement.
B. DSC agrees to indemnify, defend and hold
harmless the Funds, their trustees, directors, officers, employees, agents and
nominees and their respective successors and permitted assigns from and against
claims, demands, actions, suits, judgments, liabilities, losses, fines, damages,
costs, charges, and counsel fees (collectively, “Losses”) resulting directly and
proximately from DSC’s fraud, negligence or willful misconduct in the
performance of the Services, or reckless disregard of its duties under this
Agreement.
C. In order for these indemnification
provisions to apply, a party or parties seeking indemnification or to be held
harmless shall fully and promptly advise the indemnifying party or parties in
writing of all pertinent facts concerning the situation in question. The party
or parties seeking indemnification will use reasonable care to identify and
notify the indemnifying party or parties in writing promptly concerning any
situation which presents or appears likely to present the probability of an
indemnification claim. However, failure to do so in good faith shall not affect
the rights under this provision unless the indemnifying party or parties are
materially prejudiced by such failure. As to any matter eligible for
indemnification, the indemnified party or parties shall act reasonably and in
accordance with good faith business judgment, and shall not effect any
settlement or confess judgment without the consent of the indemnifying party or
parties, which consent shall not be withheld or delayed
unreasonably.
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D. The indemnifying party or parties shall be
entitled to participate in the defense at their own expense, or assume the
defense, of any suit brought to enforce any claims subject to this indemnity
provision. If the indemnifying party or parties elect to assume the defense,
they shall be conducted by counsel of their choosing that is reasonably
satisfactory to the indemnified party or parties; the indemnified party or
parties shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel they retain.
If the indemnifying party or parties do not elect to assume the defense of such
suit, they will reimburse the indemnified party or parties for the reasonable
fees and expenses of any counsel the indemnified party or parties retain, which
is reasonably satisfactory to the indemnifying party or parties. The
indemnifying party or parties shall not effect any settlement without the
consent of the indemnified party or parties (which shall not be withheld or
delayed unreasonably) unless such settlement imposes no liability,
responsibility or other obligation upon the indemnified party or parties and
relieves them of all fault.
E. The parties shall have a duty to mitigate
damages for which the other party or parties may become
responsible.
F. No party hereto shall be liable to any
other party for any special, indirect, incidental or consequential damages of
any kind whatsoever. NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT TO THE CONTRARY,
IN NO EVENT SHALL THE FUNDS, DSC, THEIR AFFILIATES OR ANY OF ITS OR THEIR
TRUSTEES, DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS OR SUBCONTRACTORS BE LIABLE FOR
EXEMPLARY, PUNITIVE, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES
(INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ATTORNEYS’ FEES), LOSS OF BUSINESS, OR LOST
PROFITS, EACH OF WHICH IS HEREBY EXCLUDED BY AGREEMENT OF THE PARTIES REGARDLESS
OF WHETHER SUCH DAMAGES WERE FORESEEABLE OR WHETHER A PARTY OR ANY ENTITY HAS
BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
10. Books and Records, Retention and Rights of
Ownership
A. DSC shall maintain on behalf of the Funds
all books and records which are customary or which are legally required to be
kept in connection with DSC’s performance of Services, including without
limitation those required by Rules 31a-1 and 31a-2 under the 1940 Act
(“Records”) to the extent that such Records are not
maintained by BNY Mellon in connection with the BNY Mellon Fund Accounting
Agreement. DSC will prepare and maintain such Records at the Funds’ expense, and
the Records shall be the Funds’ property. DSC will make the Records available
for inspection by the SEC, including giving the SEC access to the Records, and
otherwise surrender the Records promptly in accordance with Rule 31a-3 under the
1940 Act. DSC will allow the Funds and their authorized persons and
representatives to review the Records during DSC’s normal business hours or,
upon reasonable notice, at such other times as the Funds may
request.
11
B. Notwithstanding the foregoing, all computer
programs, systems and procedures employed or developed by or on behalf of DSC,
or on behalf of DSC by system providers or vendors used by DSC, to perform the
Services that are not Records are the sole and exclusive property of
DSC.
11. Reports
A. DSC shall furnish reports to the Funds,
their other service providers, their broker/dealers and to others that the Funds
designate in writing at such times as are prescribed pursuant to this Agreement
to be provided or completed by DSC, or as subsequently agreed upon by the
parties pursuant to this Agreement or any amendment thereto.
B. DSC will provide reasonable access to the
Funds’ independent accountant as well as internal auditors employed by the
Funds’ administrator or affiliate to periodically perform a reasonable review of
DSC’s internal controls and procedures relevant to the Services.
12. Notices
Any communication, notice or demand pursuant
to this Agreement shall be properly addressed, in writing and delivered by
personal service (including express or courier service), registered or certified
mail, or by facsimile with proof of proper transmission and a means for
confirmation of delivery to recipient, as follows:
If to DSC:
Delaware Service Company,
Inc.
0000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000-0000
Attention: General Counsel
0000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000-0000
Attention: General Counsel
Telephone:
(000) 000-0000
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
If to the Funds:
Delaware Investments Family of
Funds
0000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attention: General Counsel
0000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attention: General Counsel
Telephone:
(000) 000-0000
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
12
13. Advice and Reliance
A. DSC may consult with DSC’s or the Funds’
counsel, independent accountant and other experts with respect to any matter
arising in connection with the Services performed by DSC, and DSC shall not be
liable nor accountable for any action taken or omitted by it in good faith in
accordance with the advice of such counsel, independent accountant or other
experts. DSC shall in no event be liable to the Funds or any Fund shareholder or
beneficial owner for any action reasonably taken pursuant to such
advice.
B. DSC agrees to cooperate with the Funds’
independent accountant, to reasonably support the independent accountant’s
engagement with the Funds, and to provide the independent accountant reasonable
access to the Records. DSC also agrees to provide periodic sub-certifications to
each Fund’s chief compliance officer and certifying principal executive and
financial officers relating to the Services DSC performs, based on a form of
sub-certification that DSC and the Funds mutually and reasonably agree to, and
subject to such limitations as may be reasonable or necessary to not make a
material misstatement, omission or untrue statement of fact.
14. Compliance with Law
A. In performing the Services, DSC shall
comply with all applicable laws, and its standard of performance shall be in
accord with such standards as may be imposed by law and the requirements of all
regulatory authorities.
B. DSC shall use commercially
reasonable efforts to make its employees who are responsible for providing the
Services (“Relevant Employees”) available to federal, state and local
governmental and regulatory and supervisory authorities having jurisdiction over
the performance of the Services (“Governmental Authorities”) as may be required
by such Governmental Authorities pursuant to applicable law, subpoena or order,
and as may be requested by any Governmental Authorities on behalf of or with
respect to the Funds or any of their affiliates or as may be requested by the
Funds to be made available to such Governmental Authorities.
15. Governing Law and
Jurisdiction
This Agreement and performance hereunder and
all suits and proceedings hereunder shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the internal laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, without
giving effect to conflict of law principles. Each of the parties to this
Agreement expressly and irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the
courts of Pennsylvania and waives any claims of inconvenient forum or venue. To
the extent that the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania conflict with the
applicable provisions of the 1940 Act, the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act
shall control.
16. Services Not Exclusive
A. DSC’s Services are not exclusive to the
Funds and DSC shall be free to render similar services to others.
13
B. DSC shall perform the Services solely as an
independent contractor and no joint venture, partnership, employment, agency or
any other relationship is intended, accomplished or embodied in this
Agreement.
C. In performing the Services, DSC is acting
solely on behalf of the Funds and no contractual or service relationship shall
be deemed to be established between DSC and any other person, including without
limitation the custodian and Fund shareholders.
17. Force Majeure and Uncontrollable
Events
DSC shall maintain adequate and reliable
computer and other equipment necessary or appropriate to carry out its
obligations under this Agreement. Upon the Funds’ reasonable request, DSC shall
provide supplemental information concerning the aspects of its disaster recovery
and business continuity plan that are relevant to the Services. Notwithstanding
the foregoing or any other provision of this Agreement, DSC assumes no
responsibility hereunder, and shall not be liable for, any damage, loss of data,
business interruption, delay or any other loss whatsoever caused by “Force
Majeure Events.” “Force Majeure Events” are events beyond the reasonable control
of DSC, its agents and its Subcontractors. In the event of Force Majeure Events,
or any disaster that causes a business interruption, DSC shall act in good faith
and follow applicable procedures in its disaster recovery and business
continuity plan and use all commercially reasonable efforts to minimize service
interruptions.
18. Severability
If any provision of this Agreement shall be
held or made invalid, the remainder of this Agreement and the parties’ rights
and obligations under it shall not be affected by such action, and the invalid
provisions of the Agreement shall be deemed to be severable only in the
jurisdiction that so determines.
19. Survivability
The following provisions shall survive beyond
the expiration and termination of this Agreement:
- All compensation provisions,
including Section 2 Compensation and Expenses, Section 3.C regarding termination fees and
expenses, and Schedule
C;
- Section 4. Amendments, Assignment and
Delegation;
- Section 6. Representations and Warranties of the
Funds;
- Section 7. Representations and Warranties of DSC;
14
- Section 9. Indemnification and Limitation of
Liability;
- Section 10. Books and Records,
Retention and Rights of Ownership;
- Section 17. Force Majeure and Uncontrollable
Events;
and
- Section 18. Severability.
20. Confidential Information
“Confidential Information” of a party shall be
maintained confidential by any other party, and shall include: (a) any data or
information that is competitively sensitive material, and not generally known to
the public, including, but not limited to, information about product plans,
marketing strategies, finances, operations, customer relationships, customer
profiles, customer lists, sales estimates, business plans, and internal
performance results relating to the past, present or future business activities
of a Fund or DSC, their respective subsidiaries and affiliated companies and the
customers, clients and suppliers of any of them; (b) any scientific or technical
information, design, process, procedure, formula, or improvement that is
commercially valuable and secret in the sense that its confidentiality affords a
Fund or DSC a competitive advantage over its competitors; (c) all confidential
or proprietary concepts, documents, reports, data, specifications, computer
software, source code, object code, flow charts, databases, inventions,
know-how, and trade secrets, whether or not patentable or copyrightable; (d)
non-public portfolio holdings information of a Portfolio; and (e) anything
designated as confidential. DSC shall maintain adequate safeguards to prevent
the use of the Confidential Information by DSC, its employees, Subcontractors
and affiliates for any purpose other than performing the Services under this
Agreement. DSC also shall maintain adequate safeguards to limit the
dissemination of a Portfolio’s non-public portfolio holdings information to
third parties (x) that assist DSC in the performance of the Services under this
Agreement and have entered into a confidentiality agreement no less restrictive
than the terms in this Agreement and (y) with the prior written consent of an
officer of the applicable Fund.
However, Confidential Information shall not be
subject to such confidentiality obligations if it: (a) is already known to a
receiving party at the time it is obtained; (b) is or becomes publicly known or
available through no wrongful act of a receiving party; (c) is rightfully
received from a third party who, to the best of a receiving party’s knowledge,
is not under a duty of confidentiality; (d) is released by a protected party to
a third party without restriction; (e) is required to be disclosed pursuant to a
Fund’s Registration Statement or by a requirement of a court order, subpoena,
governmental or regulatory agency or law (provided the disclosing party will
promptly provide the other party written notice of such requirement, to the
extent such notice is permitted); (f) is relevant to the defense of any claim or
cause of action asserted against a receiving party; or (g) has been or is
independently developed or obtained by a receiving party.
15
21. Contract Terms To Be
Exclusive
This Agreement constitutes the complete
agreement of the parties about the covered subject matter, and supersedes all
prior negotiations, understandings and agreements bearing upon the covered
subject matter.
22. Waiver
A party’s waiver of a breach of any provision
of this Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any
subsequent breach by any party. A party’s failure to insist upon strict
adherence to any provision of the Agreement shall not constitute a waiver or
deprive such party of the right to insist upon strict adherence to such
provision.
23. Counterparts and Reproduction of
Documents
This Agreement may be executed in
any number of counterparts, each of which is deemed an original and all of which
together evidence the entire Agreement. This Agreement and any amendments may be
reproduced by any commercially acceptable process. The parties agree that any
such reproduction shall be admissible in evidence as the original itself in any
judicial or administrative proceedings, whether or not the original is in
existence and whether or not such reproduction was made by a party in the
regular course of business, and that any enlargement facsimile or further
reproduction of such reproduction shall be likewise admissible in
evidence.
16
24. Miscellaneous
Paragraph headings in this Agreement are
included for convenience only and are not to be used to construe or interpret
this Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have
caused this Agreement to be duly executed all as of the day and year first above
written.
DELAWARE INVESTMENTS | DELAWARE SERVICE COMPANY, INC. | |||
FAMILY OF FUNDS (as listed on | ||||
Schedule A) | ||||
By: | /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx | By: | /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx | |
Name: | Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx | Name: | Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx | |
Title: | President | Title: | Executive Vice President |
17
SCHEDULE A
TO THE FUND ACCOUNTING
AND FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION OVERSIGHT AGREEMENT BETWEEN
DELAWARE SERVICE COMPANY, INC. AND
DELAWARE INVESTMENTS FAMILY OF FUNDS
TO THE FUND ACCOUNTING
AND FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION OVERSIGHT AGREEMENT BETWEEN
DELAWARE SERVICE COMPANY, INC. AND
DELAWARE INVESTMENTS FAMILY OF FUNDS
Dated January 4th, 2010
OPEN-END FUNDS
Delaware Group® Adviser Funds |
Delaware Diversified Income Fund |
Delaware U.S. Growth Fund |
Delaware Group® Cash Reserve |
Delaware Cash Reserve® Fund |
Delaware Group® Equity Funds I |
Delaware Mid Cap Value Fund |
Delaware Group® Equity Funds II |
Delaware Large Cap Value Fund |
Delaware Value® Fund |
Delaware Group® Equity Funds III |
Delaware American Services Fund |
Delaware Small Cap Growth Fund |
Delaware Trend® Fund |
Delaware Group® Equity Funds IV |
Delaware Global Real Estate Securities Fund |
Delaware Healthcare Fund |
Delaware Group® Equity Funds V |
Delaware Dividend Income Fund |
Delaware Small Cap Core Fund |
Delaware Small Cap Value Fund |
Delaware Group® Foundation Funds® |
Delaware Foundation® Growth Allocation Fund |
Delaware Foundation® Conservative Allocation Fund |
Delaware Foundation® Moderate Allocation Fund |
Delaware Foundation® Equity Fund |
Delaware Group® Global & International Funds |
Delaware Emerging Markets Fund |
Delaware Global Value Fund |
Delaware International Value Equity Fund |
Delaware Focus Global Growth Fund |
Delaware Macquarie Global
Infrastructure Fund |
Delaware Group® Government Fund |
Delaware Core Plus Bond Fund |
Delaware Inflation Protected Bond Fund |
Delaware Group® Income Funds |
Delaware Corporate Bond Fund |
Delaware Extended Duration Bond Fund |
Delaware High-Yield Opportunities Fund |
Delaware Core Bond Fund |
Delaware Group® Limited-Term Government Funds |
Delaware Limited-Term Diversified Income Fund |
Delaware Group® State Tax-Free Income Trust |
Delaware Tax-Free Pennsylvania Fund |
Delaware Group® Tax-Free Fund |
Delaware Tax-Free USA Fund |
Delaware Tax-Free USA Intermediate Fund |
Delaware Group® Tax-Free Money Fund |
Delaware Tax-Free Money Fund® |
Delaware Pooled® Trust |
The Core Focus Fixed Income Portfolio |
The Core Plus Fixed Income Portfolio |
The Emerging Markets Portfolio |
The Emerging Markets Portfolio II* |
*Has not yet commenced operations |
The Focus Xxxx-Cap Growth Equity Portfolio |
The Global Fixed Income Portfolio |
The Global Real Estate Securities Portfolio |
The High-Yield Bond Portfolio |
The International Equity Portfolio |
The International Fixed Income Portfolio |
The Labor Select International Equity Portfolio |
The Large-Cap Growth Equity Portfolio |
The Large-Cap Value Equity Portfolio |
The Real Estate Investment Trust Portfolio |
(also known as Delaware REIT Fund) |
The Real Estate Investment Trust Portfolio II |
The Select 20 Portfolio |
The Small-Cap Growth Equity
Portfolio |
18
OPEN-END FUNDS
(Cont.)
Delaware VIP® Trust |
Delaware VIP® Cash Reserve Series |
Delaware VIP® Diversified Income Series |
Delaware VIP® Emerging Markets Series |
Delaware VIP® Growth Opportunities Series |
Delaware VIP® High Yield Series |
Delaware VIP® International Value Equity Series |
Delaware VIP® Limited-Term Diversified Income Series |
(formerly, Delaware VIP® Capital Reserves Series) |
Delaware VIP® REIT Series |
Delaware VIP® Small Cap Value Series |
Delaware VIP® Trend Series |
Delaware VIP® U.S. Growth Series |
Delaware VIP® Value Series |
Voyageur Insured Funds |
Delaware Tax-Free Arizona
Fund |
Voyageur Intermediate Tax Free Funds |
Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Intermediate Fund |
Voyageur Mutual Funds |
Delaware Minnesota High-Yield Municipal Bond Fund |
Delaware National High-Yield Municipal Bond Fund |
Delaware Tax-Free California Fund |
Delaware Tax-Free Idaho Fund |
Delaware Tax-Free New York Fund |
Voyageur Mutual Funds II |
Delaware Tax-Free Colorado Fund |
Voyageur Mutual Funds III |
Delaware Select Growth Fund |
Delaware Large Cap Core Fund |
Voyageur Tax Free Funds |
Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota
Fund |
CLOSED-END
FUNDS
|
Delaware Investments Dividend and Income
Fund, Inc. |
Delaware Investments Global Dividend and
Income Fund, Inc. |
Delaware Investments Arizona Municipal
Income Fund, Inc. |
Delaware Investments Colorado Municipal
Income Fund, Inc. |
Delaware Investments National Municipal
Income Fund |
Delaware Investments Minnesota Municipal
Income Fund II, Inc. |
Delaware Enhanced Global Dividend and
Income Fund |
19
SCHEDULE B
TO THE FUND ACCOUNTING
AND FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION OVERSIGHT AGREEMENT BETWEEN
DELAWARE SERVICE COMPANY, INC. AND
DELAWARE INVESTMENTS FAMILY OF FUNDS
Dated January 4th, 2010
TO THE FUND ACCOUNTING
AND FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION OVERSIGHT AGREEMENT BETWEEN
DELAWARE SERVICE COMPANY, INC. AND
DELAWARE INVESTMENTS FAMILY OF FUNDS
Dated January 4th, 2010
DSC shall perform for each Fund and each of
its Portfolios the following fund accounting, financial administration and
related services. Unless otherwise noted, capitalized terms used herein shall
have the same meanings assigned to them in the Agreement.
A. Valuations
1. |
Participate on
the Fund’s fair value committee, manage the committee’s decision-making
process and provide BNY Mellon with fair value pricing
decisions.
|
|
2. |
Provide
oversight of the Fund’s pricing process, including maintaining a
relationship with pricing vendors, providing BNY Mellon with sources for
prices obtained through broker/dealer quotes, and reviewing stale pricing
reports.
|
|
3. |
Verify that the
daily net asset value (“NAV”) is disseminated to interested parties;
facilitate resolution of NAV errors, and ensure that corrective action is
implemented, if necessary; review procedures with BNY Mellon to verify
that appropriate controls are in place.
|
|
4. |
Subject to the
oversight and approval, if necessary, of the Fund’s Board, select pricing
vendors and negotiate and maintain contracts with such vendors for the
benefit of the Fund.
|
B. Calculation and Payment of
Expenses
1. |
Process and pay
invoices on behalf of the Fund until the date BNY Mellon assumes
responsibility for paying approved invoices; effective as of such date,
approve bills for payment by BNY Mellon and provide BNY Mellon with
allocation instructions and wire instructions.
|
|
2. |
Provide BNY
Mellon with information on the amount of directors’/trustees’ fees to be
accrued and the methodology for allocating these expenses among the
Portfolios.
|
|
3. |
Issue checks on
behalf of the Fund to directors/trustees for director/trustee compensation
(net of Philadelphia city wage tax) and for reimbursement of meeting
expenses; remit Philadelphia city wage tax on behalf of directors/trustees
with respect to such payments.
|
|
4. |
Provide BNY
Mellon with asset-based fee information on an annual basis, promptly
notify BNY Mellon of any changes impacting these fees, and review and
approve BNY Mellon’s fee calculations based on timeframes detailed in the
applicable Service Level Document (as defined below).
|
|
5. |
Provide BNY
Mellon with any applicable expense limitations and review Portfolio
expenses to ensure that expense limitations have been properly
implemented.
|
|
6. |
Review budget
assumptions employed by BNY Mellon for new and existing Portfolios, inform
BNY Mellon of any significant new items requiring accrual or changes to
current accruals, and review the over accruals/under accruals and approve
non-routine adjustments to journal entries before the year-end excise tax
period.
|
C. Financial Reporting
1. |
Manage
certifications and sub-certification process as required for financial
reports, data and processes.
|
20
2. | Review financial reporting information provided by BNY Mellon for prospectuses, statements of additional information and other disclosure documents and coordinate completion of financial administration responsibilities. | |
3. | Review reports on Form N-CSR, Form N-SAR and Form N-Q for accuracy, completeness, and proper financial disclosures in conjunction with BNY Mellon. Participate in review by, and resolution of comments from, external auditors when necessary or appropriate. | |
4. | If a closed-end fund, analyze financial data and coordinate tender offer process with Fund management and the investment manager’s legal department, the investment manager’s investment team and BNY Mellon. | |
5. | Support Form N-SAR reporting by completing and reviewing responses to financial questions. | |
6. | Provide financial data for inclusion in board reports, and furnish direction to BNY Mellon regarding board reporting requirements. Review financial information included in board reports prior to distribution. | |
7. | In conjunction with BNY Mellon, provide analysis and recommendations regarding the impact of new accounting pronouncements on the Fund. |
D. Portfolio Securities Transactions and Trade
Operations
1. | Coordinate notification of, and responses to, voluntary corporate actions between BNY Mellon and the investment manager’s investment team. Facilitate and ensure issues resolution. | |
2. | Maintain data requirements for order management and trading systems, including, but not limited to, XIP, Predator, Bloomberg, and Long-Term Trade. | |
3. | Ensure that information on executed trades is provided to BNY Mellon, broker/dealers and agents, including information on trades not executed through trading systems (e.g., derivatives, swaps and currency contracts). Confirm executed trades with broker/dealers and agents. | |
4. | Provide support and trade maintenance for soft dollar transactions. | |
5. | Provide ad hoc support for trading systems, including testing and implementation of enhancements and modifications. | |
6. | Manage trade settlement processes between the custodians and broker/dealers for Fund for standard trades, next day settlements, cash trades and mortgage-backed securities. | |
7. | Maintain relationships with custodian banks in support of trade settlement processes. |
E. Dividends and
Distributions
1. | Review dividend projections prepared by BNY Mellon, prepare Section 19(a) notices and coordinate with the investment manager’s legal department to prepare press releases regarding dividends and distributions. | |
2. | Coordinate dividend process with BNY Mellon, the Fund’s transfer agent, Fund management, and the investment manager’s legal department. | |
3. | Ensure timely payout of Fund distributions for both net income and capital gains, and verify appropriate and timely dissemination of data to interested parties. Conduct summary level review of distribution calculations and amounts. |
F. Reconciliation and Cash
Management
1. | Review cash and principal assets reconciliation reports to mitigate potential NAV impacts resulting from cash, position or share discrepancies. | |
2. | Monitor the daily delivery of investable cash information to the investment manager’s investment team and respond to questions and ensure timely resolution of issues. Act as liaison between the investment manager’s investment team and BNY Mellon. |
21
G. Fund Performance
Information
1. | Provide oversight for timely dissemination of performance information and conduct trend analysis review on performance information. |
H. Audit Support
1. | In coordination with BNY Mellon, participate in planning and execution of external audits and coordinate and participate in responses to inquiries from external auditor. | |
2. | Receive and maintain copy of external audit correspondence. |
I. Tax Reporting and
Consulting
1. | Provide detailed review of all federal, state and city tax returns and ancillary schedules, including year-end excise tax distributions. | |
2. | Provide consulting services, including interpretation of applicable regulations, to the Fund and BNY Mellon regarding tax diversification. | |
3. | Ensure that all tax returns are filed in accordance with filing deadlines and maintain copies of tax returns, including proof of timely mailing. | |
4. | Monitor and be familiar with new and proposed tax legislation through membership in the Investment Company Institute’s tax committee and other legal, financial and trade organizations. Provide analysis and recommendations regarding the impact of new tax legislation on the Fund. | |
5. | Prepare non-shareholder tax forms, as required, including Form 1099, for each member of the board of directors/trustees. | |
6. | Review and provide comments on the tax-related sections of shareholder reports, Section 19(a) notices, prospectuses, statements of additional information and other disclosure documents, and audit work preparation. |
J. Compliance Monitoring
1. | Ensure that diversification tests are completed as prescribed by Internal Revenue Service and Securities and Exchange Commission regulations. Facilitate corrective action with the investment manager’s investment team as necessary. | |
2. | Ensure compliance with Subchapter M and Section 4982 of the Internal Revenue Code. |
K. Data Feeds
1. | Participate in managing the dissemination of Fund data to third parties by furnishing BNY Mellon with details regarding new requests and notification of changes to Fund and Fund management. |
L. Performance of Services by BNY
Mellon
1. | Establish and monitor certain service level requirements as detailed in the service level documents (each a “Service Level Document”) entered into between DSC and BNY Mellon with respect to BNY Mellon’s performance of its duties pursuant to the BNY Mellon Fund Accounting Agreement with the Fund. | |
2. | Evaluate BNY Mellon’s performance against the mutually agreed upon requirements as detailed in the applicable Service Level Document and recommend adjustments as necessary. | |
3. | Conduct periodic due diligence review of BNY Mellon’s processes as detailed in the applicable Service Level Document. |
22
4. | Ensure that corrective action plans are developed and implemented by BNY Mellon as a result of a service requirement default as detailed in the applicable Service Level Documents. |
M. Business Continuity
1. | Confirm the adequacy of disaster recovery plans with respect to systems and processes of third party vendors selected by the Fund or DSC and relating to fund accounting and financial administration. |
N. Relationship Management
1. | Participate in meetings with BNY Mellon to discuss trends, technology and strategic direction, and report pertinent information to the Fund board. | |
2. | Represent interests of Fund board at annual meeting with BNY Mellon to discuss services provided, system functionality and policy/procedural documentation. |
O. Other
1. | Review leverage requirements and manage credit facilities on behalf of the Fund. | |
2. | Monitor the flow of information between BNY Mellon and the Fund’s proxy voting agent. In order to ensure proper voting of proxies received in connection with securities held by the Portfolio(s), review the Fund’s proxy voting summaries, which will be prepared by BNY Mellon from the records of the proxy voting agent. | |
3. | If a closed-end fund, act as liaison between BNY Mellon and the investment manager’s investment team, Xxxxx’x Investor Services, Standard & Poor’s and the investment manager’s compliance department for closed-end ratings agency tests, ensuring that communication and corrective action protocols are maintained. | |
4. | Arrange in good faith for the amendment of the BNY Mellon Fund Accounting Agreement or the negotiation of new contractual arrangements with another service provider with respect to new fund accounting or financial administration services requested by the Funds or required by applicable law after the date of this Agreement. |
23
SCHEDULE C
TO THE FUND ACCOUNTING
AND FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION OVERSIGHT AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
DELAWARE SERVICE COMPANY, INC. AND
DELAWARE INVESTMENTS FAMILY OF FUNDS
Dated January 4th , 2010
TO THE FUND ACCOUNTING
AND FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION OVERSIGHT AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
DELAWARE SERVICE COMPANY, INC. AND
DELAWARE INVESTMENTS FAMILY OF FUNDS
Dated January 4th , 2010
Annual Fees
The Funds shall pay
to DSC the following Annual Fees (which are based on the aggregate average daily
net assets of the Funds):
Average Daily Net Assets | Annual Fees | ||
First $30 billion of average daily net assets | 0.0050% | ||
Next $10 billion of average daily net assets | 0.0045% | ||
Next $10 billion of average daily net assets | 0.0040% | ||
Over $50 billion of average daily net assets | 0.0025% |
24
SCHEDULE D
TO THE FUND ACCOUNTING
AND FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION OVERSIGHT AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
DELAWARE SERVICE COMPANY, INC. AND
DELAWARE INVESTMENTS FAMILY OF FUNDS
Dated January 4, 2010
TO THE FUND ACCOUNTING
AND FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION OVERSIGHT AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
DELAWARE SERVICE COMPANY, INC. AND
DELAWARE INVESTMENTS FAMILY OF FUNDS
Dated January 4, 2010
LIST OF AUTHORIZED PRICING
VENDORS:
Name of Vendor | Types of Securities | |||
Interactive Data | Equities (US and Foreign), Taxable Bonds, | |||
Non Taxable Bonds, CDS | ||||
Standard & Poor’s (including XX Xxxxx) | Non Taxable Bonds, Taxable Bonds | |||
Bloomberg | Equities, Bonds, Futures, Options | |||
Reuters | Exchange Rates, Equities, Taxable Bonds | |||
Markit Data (via Interactive Data) | CDS and CDX Swap pricing (this is either | |||
direct or via IDC) |
FAIR VALUATION INFORMATION
VENDOR(S):
Name of Vendor | Types of Securities | |||
Interactive Data Fair Value Service | Foreign Equities |
LIST OF AUTHORIZED DATA INFORMATION VENDORS:
Name of Vendor | Type of Service | |||
GICS | Security Classifications | |||
Xcitek | Corporate Actions Notifications | |||
S&P – CUSIP | CUSIP Database | |||
Securities Class Action Services LLC | Class Action Notification | |||
LSE – SEDOL License | SEDOL Database | |||
Thomson Financial | Municipal Floating Rates |
25